The Book of Daniel begins with the trials of the Judahites in the aftermath of Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians in 587 BC, when many were forced to live as immigrants in a strange land. It continues with visions relating to the trials of Judahites back in Jerusalem in a time of persecution four centuries later, visions that promise them God’s deliverance.

The twelve shorter prophets are situated between the eighth and fifth centuries and speak both warnings and instructions to God’s people. For instance, Amos’s visions warn of Israel’s downfall, Jonah speaks to a wayward generation in Nineveh, and Haggai encourages the people to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem. Although these prophets appear at different times and preach to different audiences, they all have at their core an understanding of God’s overwhelming desire to connect with and reconcile himself to his people.